Ghent – Ghent University rector Petra De Sutter has declined to participate in a late 2025 US trade mission under President Donald Trump, citing restrictive policies and linking her decision to the September 2025 shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, reports 24brussels.
De Sutter’s decision, as reported by VRT News, follows a thorough evaluation of the prevailing political climate in the United States. She expressed concern that her presence could be interpreted as a political endorsement, stating, “It’s with a heavy heart, because the United States is a fantastic country. But in the current circumstances, this seems the wisest decision.”
Despite her absence, the university will still be represented on the mission by Vice Rector Herwig Reynaert. De Sutter emphasized that her choice is personal rather than political and is motivated by a desire to avoid amplifying divisive messages.
Reasons Behind De Sutter’s Decision
De Sutter’s decision also comes in the wake of the tragic shooting of Charlie Kirk on a university campus during a public debate. She described this incident as disturbing and indicative of the pressures facing academic freedom and free expression in the United States. “The attack proves that academic freedom and free expression are now under serious pressure,” she noted, highlighting the risks faced by speakers, students, and academics amidst escalating political violence.
The rector criticized the current US administration, stating, “The United States has moved far from the role it once played as a leader in human rights and multilateralism.” She argued that the policies implemented under Trump have restricted scientific and academic work, pointing to bans on climate research and rejections of gender studies as significant setbacks.
De Sutter characterized these limitations as a departure from America’s previous status as a global advocate for human rights and international cooperation. She urged, “America must stop this evolution towards dictatorship and once again show respect for the rule of law and human rights.”
Furthermore, she articulated a commitment to maintaining open dialogue and debate at Ghent University, underscoring the institution’s role in fostering a space for varied perspectives. “Extreme positions are never defensible, but otherwise, the conversation should be able to take place here in full force. If it cannot happen at the university, where can it?” she reflected.
Petra De Sutter, who became rector of Ghent University in September 2025, is the first woman to hold this position in the institution’s history. Prior to her current role, she served as Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Administration and State-Owned Enterprises from October 2020 until mid-2025. Earlier, she was a member of the European Parliament from 2014 to 2019, advocating for equality and human rights.
